Why Trump's DNI pick is controversial; Rubio on Capitol Hill |
Why Trump’s DNI pick is controversial; Rubio on Capitol Hill
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It’s Tuesday. I can’t believe how close my informal Diet Coke vs. Coke Zero poll is. It’s literally tied! I guess The Wall Street Journal is right about its reporting.
Oh, and who else is excited about Taylor Swift writing a song for “Toy Story 5?!” Only three days until we can hear it!!
Trump’s controversial pick for DNI successor
Trump’s controversial pick for DNI successor
Pentagon bans journalists from its press office
Pentagon bans journalists from its press office
Trump curses out Netanyahu: ‘You’re f—ing crazy’
Trump curses out Netanyahu: ‘You’re f—ing crazy’
MAGA ‘slush fund’ plans fizzle
MAGA ‘slush fund’ plans fizzle
California’s drama-filled primaries today
California’s drama-filled primaries today
Bill Gates’s public downfall
Bill Gates’s public downfall
The new Tulsi Gabbard:
President Trump named William Pulte, a feisty Trump loyalist who runs the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as the acting director of national intelligence, replacing to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month.
Pulte is a controversial pick for several reasons:
1) Pulte has no high-level national security experience. He previously owned a construction company and a private equity firm. Now, in this new role, he will be coordinating U.S. intelligence among more than a dozen government agencies. Trump justified Pulte’s appointment by arguing he has “deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America.”
2) He’s controversial even within the Trump administration. He frustrated Justice Department officials by pushing for Trump enemies to be prosecuted. And his public fight with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over Trump enemy prosecutions is one of his most notable moments.
3) Trump says Pulte will also keep his job running the FHFA, as well as remaining the chairman of Fannie Maie and Freddie Mac.
Keep in mind: Trump indicted Pulte would serve as the *acting* director of national intelligence, meaning he may not need Senate confirmation like a director of national intelligence would need.
💬 Follow today’s live blog
A classified press office sounds like an oxymoron:
The Pentagon has banned journalists from entering its press office, designating the space as a classified area.
Why?: The acting Pentagon press secretary says it is to ensure that speechwriters have secrecy.
This is just the tip of the iceberg: Most journalists are now barred from entering the Pentagon because of new restrictions from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Courts have mostly sided with journalists but the Pentagon has only ramped up restrictions. Critics argue this violates journalists’ First Amendment........